The Trevor Family;*

Without entering into details , suffice it to state that Ralph was called in , and when he learned that , upon certain prescribed conditions , he would be allowed to devote one-half his time to studying mechanism , he could hardly restrain himself , while his little trunk was being packed for the journey . The visitors departed with Ralph , and did not even intrude their condolence on the widow

in her affliction . Their kind feelings had assumed a practical shape . They had lifted a heavy burden from the widowed heart .

CHAPTER III . ESQUIRE FAXON was a practical man , a safe adviser , and seemed satisfied with his commission as Justice of the Peace . He was equally contented to act as umpire , ancl often settled difficulties between neighbours that might otherwise have resulted in expensive and quarrelsome litigation . He had married wellmade some money himselfand inherited more from his father ' s estate

, , , ancl was counted one of the solid men of Stanhope . And it was wonderful how much he knew about other people ' s business . He was not meddlesome , or a tattler , but his memory was retentive , and his mind a storehouse of neighbourhood history . To him Robert Trevor applied for assistance in bringing harmony out of the chaos of his father ' s outdoor business . The Esquire readily consented to do all in his power , and thenceforth his

counsel and advice were of practical value . Only Rose Trevor noticed that Joel Crawley , book-keeper and confidential agent of her father for years , regarded the Esquire ' s presence as an intrusion . And the knowledge of this pained her . Joel Crawley was an unsolved mystery to nearly the entire mass of villagers . He made no friends , and sought no one ' s confidence . He certainl y

had some regard for public opinion , for his dress was ever of the best and finest , and always up to the fashion . His hair was black and glossy as the raven ' s wing , his eyes of a deep hazel , and he was strikingly handsome in form and feature ; ancl yet he did not attract or win one to him . He could converse intelligently and agreeably , but he never wasted his powers outside of the Trevor family ancl their immediate visitors . Here he was a frequent caller .

With the exception of an occasional visit to the county seat , Rose was confined to the village and vicinity for means of social enjoyment , ancl it is not strange that she had allowed her young- fancy to indulge in dreams of a handsome lover like Crawley . He had , indeed , taught her , without seeming to , to regard him as her suitor , and to her and the family he was always the polite and affable gentleman , and his influence over the imagination of Rose , Crawley

mistook for sway over heart . But one person in Stanhope ventured to enter the lists against him . Frank Glyndon was a young lawyer , and shared Esquire Faxon ' s office . But little was known of him , but that little was altogether in his favour . He was the son of wealthy parents , who resided in a neighbouring state . Why * ie had selected Stanhope as his home and place of business no one seemed to

know . But he it was who , at a party or picnic , " selected Miss Rose as the object of special attention . Without being as handsome as Crawley , he had a frank , ojien countenance , a clear blue eye , a manly , generous spirit , a lofty scorn of whatever was base ancl mean , ancl was a general favourite in Stanhope society . He did not seem to notice or care for his rival , who , in turn , was either too proud or too indifferent to interfere with the attentions of others .

Mrs . Trevor saw in Joel Crawley only the affable gentleman and attentive man of business , and regarded his attentions with favour , 2 a 2